As I am planning to visit Disney World in the very near future (COVID permitting) I have decided to compile a list of the best Disney attractions so that I don’t miss anything when I do eventually get to go.
Did you know that there are over 50 rides and attrations at Disney World Florida, and most of them happen at the Magic Kingdom.
What Are The Best Disney Attractions?
Cinderella’s Castle
Whenever you see photo’s of Disney World, they almost always feature Cinderella’s Castle, so to me this must be one of those attractions not to be missed. You can see this magical castle as you head on up Main Street and I believe it is a beautiful and magical sighting. This castle is definitely the most famous icon at Disney World and comes complete with a moat.
One of the most magical parts of the Disney universe is all the castles that one can see. Everyone seems to have one.
Prince Eric has his castle by the sea, the Beast’s castle is in the woods, and Jasmine’s castle has the splendor of Agrabah.
All of the Disney princesses have castles that we associate with them. Disney castles are everywhere in Disney movies and stories.
Cinderella’s Castle is the castle found in Walt Disney World. You can see Sleeping Beauty’s castle at Disneyland in California.
Cinderella’s castle is 189 feet tall which is 100 feet taller than the Sleeping Beauty castle at Disneyland. It may look taller to you because Disney uses something called Forced Perception which tricks your eyes. The Disney engineers achieved this by making the windows and bricks smaller at the top of the castle.
Cinderella’s Castle has a hotel room inside, the same room that Walt Disney and his family used to stay in. It also has a restuarant where you can eat with your favorite Disney Characters.
There is a boutique within the castle walls that transforms little girls into Disney Princesses.
Did you know there is also a grandfather clock in Cinderella’s Castle that doesn’t work? We all know that Cinderella’s magic ran out at midnight – the grandfather clock in the castle is always at 11:59! That way the magic never ends at Disney World.
Mission Space
This ride experience is for sure one of the most unique in Disney World as you are loaded into a space shuttle and it simulates what it feels like to space-travel.
The G-forces and sensation it gives you are very realistic, and this is a must do for any wanna be astronaught.
Astro Orbiter
What attracts me to this ride is that it is quite fast and it is build onto of another ride, which means that you will get great views of the Magic Kingdom.
This Disney attraction is a rocket-spinner with rocket vehicles traveling through space by spinning around a central monument.
This ride does 11 rotations per minute and averages 1.2 million miles a year.
I wouldn’t suggest you do this one if you are scared of heights.
Tom Sawyer Island
Tom Sawyer Island is situated at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Florida.
This attraction looks like a great adventure for both Adults and Children. There is a log raft that goes to the attraction that offers a unique experience and makes you feel like you have really journeyed to Tom’s hideout.
Wander dusty dirt roads lined with tall trees, explore the whirling mills and amble across creaky suspension bridges. Navigate narrow passages amid secret mined caves and uncover a frontier fort.
Along the way, follow in the pioneering footsteps of early settlers, during an era when Mark Twain and Tom Sawyer reflected a new nation coming into its own.
I believe that it’s an unforgettable expedition into the heart of the American frontier!
The Hall of Presidents
Now I don’t think this one wil be everyone’s cup of tea, but I think I will enjoy it as I find history interesting.
You get to watch a twenty five minute film about the beginnings of the US and the struggles along the way, with some pretty impressive animatronics.
Liberty Square Riverboat
I have put this one down as one of the best Disney attractions just to see it.
I wouldn’t go out of my way to take a trip on the Liberty Square Riverboat, but I am sure you wil admit that it is a beautiful attraction. The authentic 47-foot tall, steam-powered paddle wheeler is pretty impressive and it’s like stepping back in time.
You can opt to take a scenic and relaxing trip which lasts almost twenty minutes across the waters of Frontierland. You can get a nice view of some of the rides and listen to fun anecdotes from a narrator who poses as Mark Twain – the author who wrote about Tom Sawyer.
It’s a Small World
Sing along to the classic anthem of world peace during a delightful musical boat tour.
Cruise along the Seven Seaways Waterway on a gentle 10-minute journey through all 7 continents. Pass through vivid, fantastical scenes representing the iconic sights and sounds of dozens of nations.
Behold a cast of dancing darlings from nearly every corner of the globe and watch as the Audio-Animatronics figures achieve universal harmony as they sing one song in many languages.
By journey’s end, Walt Disney’s simple message is clear: it truly is a small world after all!
The only thing that would maybe be a bit irritating is listening to It’s a Small World for ten minutes, but I still want to experience this attraction.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
This ride is probably best for the kids, but hey it is so iconic as it has been there since the park opened, so I would definitely do this one.
Carousel of Progress
Follow an American family over four generations of progress and watch how technology transforms all their lives.
During each era, learn how the technological marvels of the day made life more comfortable, and ended up paving the way for unimaginable innovations.
Discover how gas lamps, the hand-cranked washing machine and gramophone made the pre-electric era a breeze. With the current load shedding we are experiencing in South Africa, I think we are also going back there.
Watch the advent of electricity give rise to modern conveniences like the electric iron, the radio, as well as the simple, and revolutionary light bulb.
See how the automatic dishwasher and television set transformed the American household.
Today’s high-tech marvels include virtual-reality games, high-definition televisions and voice-activated household appliances. Imagine the wonders the next hundred years may bring!
All of this is presented inside a revolving theater, the show includes an innovative audience seating area that moves around a stationary central stage for each act. This is the longest ride at Disney World, but it sounds intreging.
Mickey’s PhilharMagic Concert
If you are a Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck fan, like me, then you won’t want to miss this one.
You can put on your 3D glasses and take a seat in the Concert Hall in front of the 150-foot-wide, 180-degree seamless wraparound screen.
As the lights dim, we find Donald Duck fast asleep. When he dons Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat and decides to try his hand at conducting the concert, he’s suddenly plunged into a 3D dream world of classic Disney animated musical sequences.
The show features many classic Disney songs like Be Our Guest, Part of Your World, You Can Fly and many more all done in 3D with many special effects and surprises throughout.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is one of the newest attractions at Disney World. It’s an interesting ride because it uses some breaking-edge technology to make everything happen.
The ride has trackless vehicles which make the ride very unpredictable as you don’t know where you are going next. It also uses projection mapping technology which fills essentially empty rooms, bringing them to life and then changes scenes at the drop of a hat.
A seemingly great ride and one of the most fun and best Disney attractions at Disney World.
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
The PeopleMover is a relaxing ride that enables you to see Tommorrow Land in a new way, and for some reason I believe that this ride hardly every has a que. It is basically an elevated tram with naration as you go through each section of the park. I think this would be a great way to see what is in store for you when you get to the park.
Turtle Talk With Crush
This is a screen-based attraction where guests interact with Crush from Disney-Pixar’s Finding Nemo. It’s very similar to Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor and uses the same incredible technology that allows the interaction.
It’s really pretty amazing how they make it work and it is quite a funny show with some adult humor thrown in.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
This one I would have to try, as they say it is one of the most thrilling rides at Magic Kingdom. Not only does the roller coaster shoot through a “diamond mine” at a quick speed, but the actual cars sway back and forth as well.
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
This is one of the few attractions remaining that Walt Disney actually had a hand in creating. In fact, all the audio-animatronics you love so much on other rides, started here in the Enchanted Tiki Room.
The song is catchy and the ride is a piece of Disney history. This classic will definitely be a must-do for me when I visit for the first time.
Pirates Of The Caribbean
This Disney Attraction will make your feel as if you have been transported to another time and place.
Some scenes are eerie, while others will immediately get you singing and dancing to “Yo Ho, Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me),” making the entire attraction a standout from start to finish.
Peter Pan’s Flight
Peter Pan’s Flight is a quick ride designed for little kids but I think I would enjoy this one too. You hop onto a tiny pirate ship and fly over scenes from the 1953 movie.
It has beautiful sets, vibrant colors, and a queue that keeps you entertained no matter how long you have to wait in line.
Jungle Cruise
The Jungle cruise is made great by the skippers, and they will take you on a memorable boat cruise you won’t easily forget.
The Jungle Cruise is a classic Disney attraction that goes all the way back to the opening of Disneyland in 1955. It takes you on a trip through some of the world’s most famous jungles where you see dozens of animatronic animals like elephants, crocodiles, lions, gorillas and more.
The Jungle Cruise has stood the test of time and the variations in the ride each time make it extremely entertaining and a can’t-miss for me.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
The interactive queue is great entertainment and the storytelling elements are wonderful. The train has the most impressive in-ride show scenes of any ride. The coaster itself is tame, and if you seek thrills this ride won’t do much for you. However it looks like fun to me,
Splash Mountain
According to most people I have met who have been to Disney World, Splash Mountain is one ride you shouldn’t miss. Adreneline freaks an enjoy the thrilling drops and unexpected sprays of water and the scenic mountain just adds to the excitement.
I believe that they are transforming this ride into a Priness and The Frog themed ride soon, but hopefully not while I am there.
Space Mountain
If you’re looking for a thrill at Magic Kingdom, this is where you will find it. The high-speed coaster takes you through “space,” with neon lights surrounding you and galactic sounds to go with it. The whole roller coaster is in the dark and you can barely tell when the next turn or drop is coming.
Haunted Mansion
This ride looks be be both whimsical and eerie and the Disney employees who guide you through are really creepy. The Stretching Room I believe is something to be seen and it is only one of the dozens of effects you’ll see.
I will definitely be doing this one.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
One of the most fun spots in Disney World. This roller coaster is fast and gripping, with twists and drops that take you by surprise no matter how many times you ride it.
The setting is also excellent, and captures both the spirit of Frontierland and Magic Kingdom as a whole. A runaway mine train in the Old Wild West takes you through caverns and an abandoned mining camp? It’s not a scary coaster and is pretty tame compared to some, but it’s all about the stunning visuals and the overall experience.
Slinky Dog Dash
Slinky Dog Dash is undoubtedly one of the most popular rides at Walt Disney World, and long lines start the minute Hollywood Studios opens up. While not the most thrilling ride, the thrills sneak up on you as you ride.
The roller coaster trains are very large, comfortable, and the whole ride is incredibly smooth. I have read that it is better to do this ride at night.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
This one is another one I am definitely going to try, as I am a big fan of Aerosmith.
This one is rock concert themed and is loved by the adreneline junkies. However I fail to see what this has to do with the whole Disney theme.
Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
Expedition Everest is definitely at the top of my list of roller coasters to ride. This one is a mix of gripping storytelling, anticipation, and thrills.
Like most of the best Disney attractions and rides, the experience starts in the queue, well before you board your train. You are on a hiking expedition in the Himalayas and the “base camp” shows-off the Nepalese culture from the architecture, artifacts, and the legend of the mythical Yeti.
The ride itself is a steel coaster, and is like an upgraded version of the Big Thunder Mountain coaster. It’s incredibly smooth and though there are no loops or inversions, Everest has plenty of thrills with a backwards drop going into a 250° turn at high speeds, and another 80ft forward drop.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
This is the only ride that I want to do, but I also don’t want to do at the same time, as I am not fond of the idea of falling 13 stories.
For pure thrill rides, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror might be the scariest attraction in Disney World. Disney Imagineering did everything right when designing this ride. The fact that from way down on the street you can see other guests plummeting 13 stories before you even get in the queue, would probably frighten me off.
There is detail in each room in the queue which helps to create the eery and scary mood and the randomized drop sequene makes it so that you never know when you are going to drop.
The Tower of Terror is a Disney classic and is said to be a masterpiece is storytelling.
So this is my list of Best Disney Attractions that I will be sure to try on my trip to Disney World in the very near future!
